A Literalist Reaction to Scenes From an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel

[@zacharyminicucci1488]

For the lyrics of the song, Brenda and Eddie walk in to the Italian restaraunt, they are the two old friends meeting for dinner at a restaraunt they used to freuent, and talking about their new lives. They start their inital catch up conversation, "things are okay with me these days". Then the narrator kicks in and describes the lives of Brenda and Eddie, "Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies..." to when they last parted ways, "and here we are wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye." Then the song wraps up when they are done their dinner and parting ways again, "I'll meet you anytime you want in our Italian restaraunt." This is how Billy Joel described the song on his XM channel, also the new music video shows it pretty well.

[@flarrfan]

The video is great! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6vdfmyCjdaDY7c

[@JohnBrooking4]

I always kind of thought this too. The couple having dinner at least knew Brenda and Eddie, but perhaps they even WERE Brenda and Eddie, older and wiser.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Old friends talking about their earlier years over dinner. Part of the conversation is about people they knew like “Benda and Eddie”.

[@marieaug9322]

I thought the narrator is eddie and he meets up with brenda. They are divorced. Friends are there too, thats the friend at first saying goodbye to brenda and eddie. In the end they have reminisced and they are alone and they both told brenda and eddie goodbye, remember he told her how good she looked afterwards all the years. Anyway, he said ill meet you anytime you want at our italian restaurant. Also the engineer boots, references an earlier song, so does the greasers...

[@feliciab2]

That's always been my take too

[@cathiehealey4608]

Everything you said, and it's just a fun ride. Once the tempo picks up, it's like.."strap in!!" You're just carried away.

[@lokivt]

One more thing, John I envy you. You have someone to introduce music to. that I love and know so well. I'm also jealous of Dave, because he gets to hear this music for the first time! I wish you could do this more often! Peace!

[@djlaino]

Having grown up in NYC, I always enjoyed finding references to local things in Billy Joel's songs. In this one there is a mention of the Parkway Diner, which was a place in Levittown/Hicksville where Billy grew up, and near where my cousin lived. He did this in a lot of his songs (Oyster Bay, Long Island in "Billy the Kid", Sesame Street on channel 13 in "Pressure", Bedford Stuy in "You May Be Right", and numerous blatant references in "Miami 2017" and of course "New York State of Mind"). Writers write what they know, and Billy was an NYC born and Long Island raised boy.

[@marleinasmom]

Don't forget all the landmarks in Downeaster Alexa!

[@bonya4585]

There was also a Parkway Diner in Brooklyn, NY. Maybe a second diner in the family.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Beautiful. Saw Billy four times just brilliant live. His video's are great entertainment

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Masterpiece here love you guys

[@mattplus09]

Enjoyed that :) Good journey...Peace!

[@MrBfg586]

I'm glad I found this channel.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Thanks! Means a lot. - JD

[@groujo1]

Don't know how you're seeing the waiter as a player. I think he's just meeting an old friend for a bottle of wine and discussing people they both knew.

[@JohnBrooking4]

Or maybe both were back in the day.

[@jonsher7682]

Respectfully, I think both you and some of those making comments have the story wrong, which in your case, is understandable since was a first listen. This is NOT as song about Brenda and Eddie walking into an Italian restaurant and dining. It is not about a single diner observing others around him. This is a song about two people who haven't seen each other for years getting together at an Italian restaurant and reminiscing about the indelible memories of being teenagers together by re-telling a story about the power couple in their school, Brenda and Eddie. That story is evident in the musical clues you heard: It beings with an accordion and an Italianesque melody as the acquaintances briefly share what is happening to them now, an appetizer to the main course, reminiscing about high school days -- that why the music changes to New Orleans Jazz of the sort they listened in the diner jukebox when they were teens. The lyrics then transition, as such recollections often do, from the general to the specific, a treasured memory about the king and the queen of the prom, Brenda and Eddie, with a change in musical style again cueing in the transition. Only when the re-telling of the Brenda and Eddie memories is done that the music and placement transition back to the Italian restaurant. The reason this song is enduring, beyond its musical and lyrical brilliance, is that this story is so related to anyone 30 or older who sometimes gets together with old high school buddies to reminisce.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Well-stated, Jon. - JD

[@flarrfan]

@@LiteralistReactions If you watch the latest Joel-released video, it's possible to conclude that the diners are actually Brenda and Eddie, and the middle part of the song is a third person telling the story of how they arrived at that moment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6vdfmyCjdaDY7c

[@cathiehealey4608]

I totally agree. This is how I've always understood this song as well. Two old friends...possibly, him and a former flame.

[@Tonyr0206]

Billy Joel's drummer at the time, Liberty DeVito is a GREAT drummer. (He's a bit of a pompous ass, but a great drummer, none the less.) During concerts, Liberty could be seen behind the drum kit, singing along. If Billy got lost in the midst of a song, he'd look at Liberty to see what lyrics he should be singing. When they were in the studio recording the song We Didn't Start the Fire, Liberty read the lyrics, put his arm around Billy, and told him "You're on your own for this one!"

[@elrondw8032]

Always liked this song. I have a recording of this from before the album came out where he introduced this as a song he is working on. It was mostly complete already.

[@riveralph3687]

Perfect timing; wifey and I are seeing him in Atlanta this evening. Always hoping he plays this epic song. All the instruments invoke distinct nostalgic feelings. Billy is a puppet master, pulling the strings of our emotions via melody and soundscapes.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Have a great time! I haven't seen him in person since the 80's! What venue? - JD

[@riveralph3687]

@@LiteralistReactions Hi JD. Mercedes Benz Stadium; luckily, we have close-up floor seats. Saw him in 2017 at the Braves Stadium and he still has all the chops and does some pretty cool overs of other classic rock songs too. Hope you guys have a great weekend! -Brent

[@lucasroth7922]

I always chock up during this tune too John. It evokes all kinds of emotions for me. Thanks y'all ✌🤘

[@Ninang363]

Freshman and sophomore high school this album was in heavy rotation. Every song on this album is great.

[@stardust164]

Billy is the best.

[@riveralph3687]

Follow up: The concert was great and he closed the main set with "Scenes" and "Piano Man"...prior to the five song encore. Billy sounded great and his band is top notch. Would like to see him at The Garden in NYC one of these days.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Glad it went well and he played those songs! - JD

[@philhunter9134]

Geniuses.

[@KevinMahone]

Surprised it wasn’t mentioned that this was Billy’s response to the Beatles A Day In The Life which was a song cobbled together by parts of songs they had lying around and decided to mesh them together into a song that became a masterpiece.

[@steveparker3652]

Love your reactions guys! How about another story song? The Nails - 88 Lines About 44 Women.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Steve, never heard the song or band. I will give it a listen to see if it meets channel criteria. Thanks! - JD

[@agrindling]

You two bobbing your heads to the last sax solo is delightful. Have either of you heard Tom Wait's, Step Right Up?

[@LiteralistReactions]

I don't have much experience with Tom Waits. I will check it out before considering for the channel. Thanks! - JD

[@LiteralistReactions]

I love that song.... Just gave it a listen. Too cool. In fact, that's going into my "Too Cool for the Room" playlist. Thanks!

[@dwaneanderson8039]

It's called a concertina. Edit: I guess I posted that too soon. I also got "The Stranger" back when it came out. This song was one of my favorites, but the whole album is great. I always believed the story was about a guy going to a restaurant and meeting an old friend from high school. They sit and chat about how their lives have changed since graduating and then reminisce about their school days. I don't buy the drug thing, as it doesn't make any sense with the rest of the song.

[@jonsher7682]

Agree 100%. The lyrics make that clear and the musical transitions hammer that home -- see my detailed comments.

[@geniousatqw]

Your Music Mirrors Your Mind Song suggestion: Take a Pebble Band/Artist: Emerson Lake and Palmer Album: Emerson Lake and Palmer A song in the style of what Dave described I'm sure he'd enjoy it

[@LiteralistReactions]

Giving it a listen. - JD

[@lokivt]

John,someday you should introduce to Dave the story song by Billy Joel: Leningrad.

[@cocovinzmcmurphy7947]

The instrument is called a "Musette" 🪗

[@douglasennis7291]

It's all about Brenda and Eddie their the couple in the restaurant. The middle is being told by one of their high school friends.

[@phillychick4196]

I’m getting two Rottie pups. Brenda and Eddie❤

[@seanscanlon9067]

It is actually just a regular accordion.

[@johnmorgan7262]

Another song that could not be written today... Or played.

[@r1pster05]

Great reaction to one of my favorite songs! I could never decide between it being two old friends catching up, or him relating what was going on in neighboring booths, either. I never considered this to be a drug song - I've heard of "reds" but never "whites", plus I never found Jelly Bowl to be that subtle. I mean, if you want to hear a Billy Joel song that's unambiguously about a drug dealer, there's always "Captain Jack". Which I think would be a great reaction, too, along with "Prelude/Angry Young Man" to satisfy Dave's piano fix. Oh, and in case anyone is interested, Vince Guaraldi's "Peanuts" theme: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmfdqqOZlLGbpK8

[@LiteralistReactions]

We did Prelude/Angry Young Man. I added your vote to Captain Jack. It's gettin' close. - JD

[@flarrfan]

"Scenes..." literally illustrated: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6vdfmyCjdaDY7c

[@andrewsciacca8317]

I thought this channel was good dealing with the music which transcends every group, beliefs and cultures but when you go in this direction you will lose me. I support everyone's right to a different opinion but talk about music not politics. Happy Veteran's Day and thank all the vets for their service to our country making it the greatest one in the world!

[@LiteralistReactions]

FYI, Dave traveled the world with his military family. My wife joined the army following the World Trade Center bombing. One of my sons joined the Air Force and served 3 tours of Qatar. A huge THANK YOU to all Veterans for your sacrifices. - JD

[@riccardoangeli802]

Live molto meglio

[@danielstartek9729]

Hey Grizzly Adams get a shave and a shower!